“Four decades after Mr. Vila and the rest of the original “This Old House” crew introduced viewers to the concept of watching contractors turn tired homes into pretty ones, knocking down walls is big entertainment.” The Seattle Times picked up this post from the NYT this week: ‘This Old House’ turns 40 this year. I remember watching the show many years ago and loving it. Things have changed in media so much since the show first aired. If you were to watch an old episode of the show you might actually get a chance to see ‘paint dry’. Nonetheless, if a house has great character it still makes for good viewing.
2. SUPPLY AND DEMAND
CNBC reports The housing market is about to shift in a bad way for buyers. “Competition in the housing market finally began to cool this year, as listings multiplied and price gains moderated. Bidding wars became less frequent and spring sales perked up a bit. Well, forget that. The heat is on yet again.” As you know all real estate is local, and inventory is leanest in some of the nation’s most affordable markets, while in some larger markets the high demand for more affordable homes remains unchanged.
3. MOVING BILL
“The House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that slashes the cost of upfront mortgage insurance for first-time homebuyers using mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration reports Housingwire.” The New bill slashes FHA mortgage insurance for first-time homebuyers. It turns out borrowers who undergo some counseling may be able to get a discount on their upfront mortgage insurance.
4. BILLIONAIRES ROW
Lake Tahoe Billionaire Real Estate: How Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, And Others Are Changing The Area Forever writes Jim Dobson, senior contributor for Forbes. “The real question is, why are the world’s wealthiest individuals collecting so many properties along the lake like players in an extravagant game of Monopoly? Is it because of the well-known Nevada tax benefits, or is it something more secretive? Perhaps it is simply because they love the area and need a convenient escape that is close to Silicon Valley and snapping up adjacent lots ensures their privacy.” Find out the other individuals who are buying on ‘Billionaires Row’.
STRESS CASE
On 5. The Lighter Side of Real Estate, here are 14 Housewarming Gifts People Actually WANT. “Moving is a seemingly endless stress buffet. When someone you love is going through it, how can you help to alleviate that stress? Well, outside of paying for their movers (PS SO WORTH IT), you can give them one of these moving/housewarming gifts. Some are gifts of time, some are thoughtful treats, and some are available on Amazon so even if your friend is moving to a new town, you can send Prime to the rescue! Best of all, you don’t have to get cutesy or craftsy; you can send any of these goodies as-is.” I used to send a year’s supply of wine to my clients after closing. The first shipment was not delivered until they were settled in but they all used to appreciate the gesture. What’s your experience with housewarming gifts?
